Single Mom Facing Three Years in Prison for Not Knowing Gun LawsBy angelamontana

Posted: July 14, 2014

According to a recent post on my9nj.com, a single mom in Pennsylvania, Shaneen Allen, got her concealed carry permit, per the advice of a family member, after being robbed twice over the course of a year. One week after she bought a handgun, she was pulled over in New Jersey for a minor traffic violation. Being the honest person she is, Allen informed the officer that she had a concealed weapon on her and produced her permit….for Pennsylvania–which was not valid in New Jersey. Things went south from there…

“Allen was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of hallow-point bullets which were in the gun. Under New Jersey gun laws, the illegal possession of a gun is a second-degree felony which holds a minimum sentence of three-years in prison.” The judge has no discretion in this case, either. As of now, the Atlantic County Prosecutor has denied Allen’s entry into a diversionary program that would allow her to avoid jail time.

This is an example of the importance of knowing laws–especially when it comes to firearms, but do you think the possible three year prison sentence Allen is facing is fair? The law is the law…right? If you have your concealed weapon permit in Montana, do you know which states you can legally carry your concealed weapon? Click here for more information on gun laws in the USA.